+
PFC Board Clears Plan To Absorb REC, Seeks President Approval
ECONOMY & POLICY

PFC Board Clears Plan To Absorb REC, Seeks President Approval

The board of Power Finance Corporation approved a proposal to merge Rural Electrification Corporation into PFC and will seek the President of India's approval for the absorption. The filing said that once legally effective all REC assets and liabilities will transfer to PFC and REC will be dissolved under sections of the Companies Act, 2013. The trading window for PFC securities will remain closed pending further orders.

PFC acquired a majority 52.63 per cent stake in REC in May 2019 and became its promoter. A merger was considered in 2019-20 but did not proceed largely because Reserve Bank of India limits on financing by a single non-bank financial company to an individual project constrained the move. The board approval now advances the plan.

The proposal gained momentum after the Union Budget for 2026-27, when the finance minister outlined a vision for public sector non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) to scale credit disbursement and adopt technology. The budget proposed restructuring PFC and REC as an initial step to improve efficiency and scale in state-owned NBFCs. The government framed the move as helping meet financing targets.

Both PFC and REC are Maharatna non-bank financial companies under the ministry responsible for power and provide long-term financing to power and infrastructure sectors. A combined PFC-REC would be among the largest government owned NBFCs by loan book and is expected to gain from greater scale, governance and technology adoption. An October 2025 report by Morgan Stanley projected a compound annual growth rate of approximately 12 per cent in loans between FY25 and FY28 and an average return on equity of 17-19 per cent.

Market analysts said the consolidation aims to channel long-term capital more efficiently to infrastructure and priority sectors while preserving financial stability and consumer protection. They noted that strengthening public sector NBFCs through scale and governance could influence how climate finance flows to the energy transition. The transaction will require further regulatory and legal clearances after presidential approval.

The board of Power Finance Corporation approved a proposal to merge Rural Electrification Corporation into PFC and will seek the President of India's approval for the absorption. The filing said that once legally effective all REC assets and liabilities will transfer to PFC and REC will be dissolved under sections of the Companies Act, 2013. The trading window for PFC securities will remain closed pending further orders. PFC acquired a majority 52.63 per cent stake in REC in May 2019 and became its promoter. A merger was considered in 2019-20 but did not proceed largely because Reserve Bank of India limits on financing by a single non-bank financial company to an individual project constrained the move. The board approval now advances the plan. The proposal gained momentum after the Union Budget for 2026-27, when the finance minister outlined a vision for public sector non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) to scale credit disbursement and adopt technology. The budget proposed restructuring PFC and REC as an initial step to improve efficiency and scale in state-owned NBFCs. The government framed the move as helping meet financing targets. Both PFC and REC are Maharatna non-bank financial companies under the ministry responsible for power and provide long-term financing to power and infrastructure sectors. A combined PFC-REC would be among the largest government owned NBFCs by loan book and is expected to gain from greater scale, governance and technology adoption. An October 2025 report by Morgan Stanley projected a compound annual growth rate of approximately 12 per cent in loans between FY25 and FY28 and an average return on equity of 17-19 per cent. Market analysts said the consolidation aims to channel long-term capital more efficiently to infrastructure and priority sectors while preserving financial stability and consumer protection. They noted that strengthening public sector NBFCs through scale and governance could influence how climate finance flows to the energy transition. The transaction will require further regulatory and legal clearances after presidential approval.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Products

Interio by Godrej launches modular workplace solutions

Interio by Godrej has launched Workscapes, a modular workplace solutions category designed to help organisations configure and adapt workspaces to changing requirements. The portfolio combines mobile and compatible furniture and support elements that can be rearranged across different work modes without changes to fixed layouts.Workscapes includes Collaboration Tables, Privacy Solutions, Mobile Markerboards and Space Dividers, Power Solutions, Storage and Support Elements, Meeting and Presentation Tools, and Seating Elements. The range is designed for focused work, collaboration, informal disc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

CAFE-III Gives Auto Industry Investment Clarity

The government’s new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms have provided the automobile industry with a clearer framework for technology investments, according to industry representatives. The framework seeks to balance environmental objectives with flexibility for manufacturers while encouraging the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles and biofuels. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Shenu Agarwal said the five-year framework would give automakers greater predictability to plan investments and accelerate innovation. He said the regulation established annual targ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Mines Ministry to Auction Two Offshore Mineral Blocks in Andaman Sea

The Ministry of Mines will launch an auction of two offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea on Thursday, seeking to unlock India’s offshore mineral potential and strengthen long-term mineral resource security. The blocks will be offered under a composite licence, which permits exploration and development activities in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework. The ministry said the auction was intended to encourage systematic exploration, attract investment and promote the use of advanced technologies for offshore mineral exploration and development. The initiative is also aimed..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code